Astro Saber Software
➤➤ControlsThe image below shows the controls of a hand-held radio.Please note that the controls differ between models and that somefunctions are optional. The most frequently used features are alllocated on the top panel of the radio. From right to left are the antennasocket, the channel selector, the volume control (combined with ON/OFFswitch) and a 2-position switch that is used to select between secureand non-secure operation. On radios that are not crypto-capable, thisswitch may either be missing, or might be used to select betweenchannel banks.
At the left side of the radio are a number of recessed buttons.At the top is the squelch button, which allows the squelch (noisecancellation) to be open for as long as the button is depressed.Keeping it depressed for more than 3 seconds, will permanently openthe squelsh.In the middle is the (large) Push-To-Talk (PTT) switch.The radio transmits as long as this button is depressed. The radiocan be programmed to send an identification at the start of a transmission.Below the PTT are two small buttons for Repeater Access Tones (RAT).They can only be used if the radio has version 6D or later of the COREfirmware. On older versions of the CORE, such as the common 5D, they willnot work. On early case variants the RAT buttons were omitted.ModelsThere are several series of SABER radios, that are compatible andinteroperable to some extent.
This page only deals with the SABER I, II and III(and the European ), but not with some of the later analogueand digital trunking systems. The latter are listed below in red.ModelDisplayKeypadRemark12 channels24 channels (in 2 zones)3 keys48 or 120 channels 115 keys 2120 channelsSystems SABER 3Analogue trunkingAstro SABER 3Digital (and trunking)Note that the Systems SABER and the Astro SABER are backwards compatiblewith the SABER, as they can be programmed for 200+ analogue channels(using a different version of the ).They have the same casing as the SABER. Almost all accessories are interchangeablebetween SABER, and Systems SABER. Some accessories of theAstro SABER can be used as well, with the exception of antennas, microphones,programming cables and vehicle adapters.There are 2 versions of the SABER II: one with 2KB of memory(48 channels in 4 zones) and one with 8KB of memory (120 channels in 10 zones)and DTMF. The memory is located behind the front panel.The keyboard consists of 15 keys: the 3 keys of the SABER II plus 12 keys(not 16) for DTMF.Most of the accessories of the Systems SABER will work with the SABER,but some of the accessories of the Asto SABER are not compatible.Systems SABER and Astro SABER are not covered on this page.VariantsMany different versions and variants of the SABER radio, have been madeover the years, for a variety of frequency ranges.
Used SABER held-heldsare often found in surplus stores and on auction sites such as Ebay.As it is often difficult to tell which models you are dealing with, thedescription below can be used as a guide. Luckily, the frequency bandand a number of features can be deduced from the that isnormally present on a label at the back.Unfortunately, the doesn't tell you which sectionof the frequency band (the split) is used. Furthermore, the FACTORY IDmight be missing completely on rebatched versions of the radio,as many of them were given a different name by telecom operatorsin Europe. For example, a UHF was sold by the Dutch PTTas the Portavox 3165.
The many different versions of the MotorolaSABER are discussed in detail below. First of all there are two different case sizes:.
Non-secure - short caseSABER radios that are not crypto-capable have a case that is slightlyshorter that radio that do have this provision. Such radios can never beused for secure communication, and can not be modified for that.This version is shown on the left. Secure - long caseA slightly longer case is used for SABER radios that care crypto-capable.This doesn't means that a suitable is present though;the relevant slot might still be empty or contain a dummy. Itjust means that the radio has space for a.These radios are generally marked with the word SECURENET, orsomething similar on the top panel.
Motorola Astro Saber Software
The longer version is shown on the rightin the image above. Furthermore, there are two case variants that look identical:. StandardThis is the standard (non-submersible) version of the SABER radio.Most radios found on the surplus market and on auction sites, such asEbay, are of this type.
SubmersibleAs a manufacturing option it was possible to order SABER radios thatwere submersable in water. Such radios had appropriate seals and rubbergaskets at all openings in the case, including the speaker grille.Generally, these variants have the word SUBMERSIBLE printed on the top panel.Externally, submersible radios are identical to the standard version.
There are three front panel variants of the SABER radio:.This is the most simple version of the SABER. It has no controlson the front panel and no display. The only two controls (the volumeadjustment and the channel selector) are at the top of the radio.This version is suitable for 12 pre-programmed channels (or 15 aftera modification). The is a variant of the SABER I,which features 24 channels.This is a more advanced version of the SABER I that is menu-drivenand has some extra features and channels.
The front panel containsa micro controller, memory, a small LCD display and 3 red push-buttons.This is the most complete version of the SABER. The case is identical tothe two previous versions (above), but the front panel is different. Itcontains a micro controller, memory, a display and a 15-button keypad. There are three band variants of the SABER radio:.
MIDBAND - 66-88 MHzThis band was used by many Police Agencies world-wide until the late1990s. As the band is pretty close to the FM broadcast band, the MIDBANDhas gradually been phased out.
Radios in this band are of no use to radioHAMs, unless they can be converted to 51 MHz (6m) or the 4m band can be used(in some countries the 4m band can be used by HAMs). VHF - 136-174 MHzFor many years, public services, commercial services, government agencies andradio amateurs have been (and still are) using the 2m band. Please note thatnone of the radios cover the full frequency range, but only a section of it.Some of these ranges are suitable for used by radio amateurs (HAMs). UHF - 403-512 MHzOnce the 2m band got exhausted, the 70cm band became a popular space forall kinds of services. Most of these frequencies are still in use today foranalogue and/or digital voice and data. Although the 70cm amateur band is withinthis range (430-440 MHz, or even 430-450 MHz in some countries),there is no SABER that covers the entire range.
The following bandwidths are available (VHF only):. Narrow band. Wide band➤SABER IThe SABER I is the simplest version of the SABER hand-held radio.That doesn't mean however, that it lacks the features of it 'big brothers',theand, it just misses the direct controls to thesefeatures. Channel programming, output power and feature selection aredone when programming the radio, e.g. In a service center,using Motorola's proprietary.The SABER I was available in two case variants: the standard versionin the lower case, and the higher version that has room for a.The latter adds digital voice encryption to the SABER. SABER IIIThe SABER III is effectively an enhanced version of the.The display is identical, but the keyboard has been extended with 12additional buttons, adding a standard telephone keypad to the radio(0-9 plus. and #).
This way the radio can be used for auto-patch andtones.Like the enhanced version of the SABER II, this radio has room for 120channels, organized as 10 banks (zones) of 12 channels each.The channels and their features can be programmed on a per-channelbasis or per-radio basis, using Motorola's proprietary.Note that only 12 keys are available for DTMF, rather than the usual16. The 4th column (i.e. 1633 Hz), normally used for the ABCD-keys, is missing.If these additional tones are required, an external DTMF encoder (e.g.combined with an external microphone, should be used instead.The SABER III was typically used in situations where the radio hadto be able to be connected (patched) to the regular telephone network.Pressing the keys would produce the corresponding DTMF tones.The image above shows a VHF crypto-capable version of the SABER III. MX-1000, 2000 and 3000The MX-1000 series was a European two-way radio that was also produced byMotorola.
It was based on the SABER design, albeit with a different set offeatures and driven by a different controller. The channel selector,for example, had only 10 positions, whereas the channel selector ona SABER had 12 positions.As a result, the MX-1000 series can not be programmed with the same, but only with a proprietary versionof the RSS.Like the SABER, the MX-1000 series consisted of three basic models,with the MX-1000 being related to the SABER I, the MX-2000 to the SABER IIand the MX-3000 to the SABER III. The MX-1000 was available in most designvariants, including VHF, UHF, submersible and high/low power. There was alsoa secure variant that worked with all of the SABERexcept for the OTAR/Multikey and FASCINATOR modules; these were restrictedto the Systems SABER.The MX-1000 was sold in some European countries, including Germany, Denmark,Norway, Sweden, Finland and The Netherlands.
It was either (re)batched withthe name of the national telecom operator (e.g. PTT Telecom in The Netherlands)or under the brand name of Storno, at the time a well-known Danish radiomanufacturer. Since 1986, Storno is a Motorola subsidary.CTCSS or PLDifferent techniques have been developed to prevent the squelch of areceiver from opening on weak unwanted signals, as is often the casewith repeaters. An example of such a technique is:Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System. Motorola calls it PL orPrivate Line TM. It is implemented in the SABER radiosand can be programmed globally or on a per channel basis, usingMotorola's.On many (amateur) repeaters, CTCSS is mandatory these days.Please note that CTCSS can not be used in combination with voiceencryption. As a result it might not be possible to send encryptedsignals via a repeater.The only ways to overcome this, is to turn off the repeater'sCTCSS (not needed for encrypted signals anyway), or to use anintelligent repeater, such as the Motorola MSF5000TM, which canbe loaded with the same encryption key.
Such repeaters can generallypass both types of traffic: encrypted and unencrypted (using CTCSS).SquelchSABER radios do not have a noise suppression (squelch) control similar tothe volume adjustment. Instead, the squelch is set in software whenprogramming the radio, using the.In order to prevent the squelch from closing on weak signals, thepush-button at the side of the radio, just above the PTT, can be usedto open the squelch manually. Holding this button for 3 seconds,opens the squelch permanently. Press the button once more to closeit again.Note that some radios are programmed for CTCSS or a 5-tone sequence.The squelch of such radios will only open when the appropriate CTCSStone, or the appropriate 5-tone sequence, is received. The latter iscommonly called a tone-lock, or selective tone call (selcall).ProgrammingAs SABER radios have a set of pre-determined frequencies (channels) on whichthey operate, they need to beprior to use, using dedicated software.This is not an easy task, that needs the following prerequisites:.
Programming cableA special interface cable is needed for virtually every type of radio evermade by Motorola. Such cables have a special motorola accessory plug at one endand a 25-way D-type (parallel) connector at the other end, suitable forconnection to the RIB (see below). Radio Interface Box (RIB) RLN4008A small interface box is needed between the radio (programming cable) and the PC.It converts the 2-wire serial data and levels into bi-directional datastream, suitable for connection to the COM port of a PC. Most RIBs are suitablefor nearly all Motorola radios. Radio Service Software (RSS)For each different radio, Motorola developed athat can not beused on other radios.
Please note that the MX-1000 (a Europeanderivative of the SABER) requires a different version of the RSS.The RSS is no longer available from Motorola, but copyright restrictionsprevent it from being distributed freely. All we can suggest is to do a.Please do not ask us for a copy of this software. Old 386 PC with DOSThis is probably the most difficult-to-find part. BatteriesMany different batteries have been produced for the SABER seriesover the years. As the high-power version of the SABER can producean output power as high as 6W, high-capacity batteries are needed.There were three battery sizes, but the most common ones arethe standard battery (84 mm) and an ultra-high capacity variant,that is somewhat higher (103 mm).Either type can be charged with a dedicated MotorolaSABER, such as the one shown below.Such chargers typically status of the battery and will indicatea faulty one.
The recommended Motorola batteries are shown in thetable below. Good alternatives were available from othermanufacturers as well.The image on the right shows a typcial high-capacity Motorola NiCdbattery, aside a SABER I hand-held radio. When carrying the radioon the belt in a carrying case or holster, ensure that the case issuitable for the higher batteries.As the SABER radios were produced many years ago, their batteriesare likely to be worn-out out by now, resulting in shorter usage timesor completely dead batteries. In such cases it might be wise toreplace the batteries with modern alternatives. Good replacementbatteries, using Li-ION technology, are available from varioussources and even from auction sites, such as Ebay.Part NoVoltageCapacityTypeRemarkNTN45377.5V700 mAhNiCdLight capacityNTN45927.5V700 mAhNiCdLight capacityNTN45387.5V1000 mAhNiCdMedium capacityNTN45937.5V1100 mAhNiCdMedium capacityNTN45957.5V1800 mAhNiCdUltra-high capacityNTN45967.5V1800 mAhNiCdUltra-high capacityNTN49927.5V1800 mAhNiCdUltra-high capacityNTN70147.5V950 mAhNiMHLight capacityNTN74267.5V950 mAhNiMHIntrinsically safeNTN70587.5V1800 mAhNiMHRuggedizedNTN49057.5V?LiDisposable, not rechargeable. MicrophoneWhen used as a hand-held radio, the built-in microphone and speakerof the SABER, located at the front panel, are used. When the radiois carried on the belt however, it is often more convenient to usean external speaker/mike with it, such as the one shown below.External microphones can be connected to theat therear of the radio, near the antenna socket.The image on the right shows a typical Motorola speaker/microphonethat was commonly used with SABER radios.The microphone has anat the back,allowing it to be attached to the clothing of the operator.At the other end of the curly cord is the plug that connects itto the accessory socket of the radio.
It usuallyof the radio and is held in place by a singlehex safety bolt.Fitting the microphone to the radio sometimes requires,such as afor the hex safety bolt. On other versions, the plug is held in placeby a simple cross-head screw. The microphone shown in the imagehas its cord coming out of the plug under a 45 degree angle.Furthermore, it has a large connector that is fitted aroundthe corner of the radio to provide extra strength.Most other models however, have a straight cable entry and a somewhatsimpler connector that is fitted only at the back.Thealso carries the antenna signal, allowing the use of microphoneswith an helical antenna mounted on top of it.
Such microphones arecommonly called Public Safety Microphones. The image on the rightshows an example. Because of the size of the antenna, these modelsare only practicle for use on UHF.Public Safety Microphoneswere often used in cities with large buildings, as the extra heightof the antenna (usually on the shoulder, whilst the radio was carriedat the belt) expands the operational range. Public Safety Microphonesalways have a straight cable rather than a curly one.
AntennaSABER hand-held radios are commonly used in combination with short.Depending on the frequency band and section(split) on which the radio is used, a different type of antenna isrequired. Older rubber-encapsulatedwere usually marked with aat the bottom of the screw at the base of the antenna (see below).The image on the right shows a typical original Motorola VHF antenna,which has a yellow dot at the tip of the screw, indentifying itsfrequency range from 136 to 151 MHz. For other band sections, usethe table below as a guide.Please note that a helical antenna is always a compromise.In an ideal situation, the antenna length should be a quarter ofthe wavelength, often indicated as ¼λ.
As the wavelength ofa 150 MHz signal is 2 meters, a ¼λ antenna would be 50 cm,which would not be very practicle. In such situations, theshorter helical was used.A helical is in fact a ¼λ antenna which is wound-up, likea coil, and is far from ideal compared to a full ¼λ antenna.The antenna is shorter than the original one and can be seen as a compromize,resulting in a reduced operational range.The range is further reduced by the fact that in most situations theantenna is carried close to the human body (e.g.
On a belt).The range can be improved by using a full ¼λ antenna,such as the UHF whip antenna (see the table below). Belt clipRather than using a heavy duty leather or nylon carrying case, such asthe one illustrated above, it was also possible to carry the SABER radioon the belt, using a special Motorola belt clip. As the radio comes in twodifferent case sizes, two different belt clips were available fromMotorola.The belt clip is a rather simple metal bracket that can be attached tothe rear size of the radio. One side hooks into a rig at the,whilst the'clicks' into a,close to the battery fitting.The belt clip can be,by putting a screwdriver into a smallrectangular hole in the battery fitting, and pushing the clip out.The image on the right shows two different belt clips; one for each casevariant. Each character or group of characters describes a specific featureof the radio. Use the table below to 'decode' the FACTORY ID ofyour radio. Although it is possible to determine the frequencyband this way (VHF, UHF), it is not possible to identifythe installed in the radio.
The only way to dothat, is by examining the numbers on theinside the radio, or by connecting the radio to a PC and readingit out with Motorola's special.On some radios, the FACTORY ID is not present. In such cases theMODEL NR is often used instead. It might, however, be preceededby two additional letters, e.g. This is often the case withinternational version of the Motorola SABER. For example, we foundan international low power UHF submersible SABER I,with the following MODEL NR on the label at the back. Frequency rangesThere are many types/versions of SABER, each with their own specific frequencyband and range (also known as frequency split).
Only the band can be determinedfrom the model number at the back of the radio; the specific band section(i.e. The split) can only be determined by examining the numbers on theinternal modules.
The following frequency bands/sections are known:BandSectionRemarkMB66-84 MHzMB74-88 MHzVHF136-150.8 MHzGovernment split. Ideal for HAM, MARC and CAPVHF146-162 MHzSuitable for HAM (144-148) with modified RSSVHF146-174 MHzWideband version, suitable for HAMVHF148-174 MHzWideband used in lower power versionVHF157-174 MHzPublic and commercial servicesUHF403-433 MHzGovernment split.
Suitable for EU HAMs (430-438).UHF440-470 MHzSuitable for all HAMs (431-450)UHF458-490 MHzUHF482-512 MHz. Opening the caseA SABER radio can easily be opened, by removing the battery and thenin the battery fitting. Do not remove the other cross-head bolts.Ensure that the(at the rear, near the antenna) has been removed. The interior can now be takenout of the case, simply by pulling the antenna (recommended by Motorola).The interior is shielded at both sides.
Theis held in place by 4 boltsthat can be removed in order to reveal theof the main PCB. The shield atthe front side holds the speaker and the microphone. It can be removedby with a screwdriver.Be careful not to damage the flex wiring of the front panel when.The flex connects to the main board by means of a small connector that isfitted in the of the radio.Pull carefully to remove it. SABER II and III units have anfor the control panel.All modules can be accessed from the front side of the radio (i.e.
Theside that is visible in the image above). They are all socketed and canbe removed easily, making the SABER into a service-friendly radio.Some modules are bolted to the main PCB at the bottom. The diagram belowshows the location of each of the modules of a crypto-capable SABER,seen from the front.The crypto module is not present in the non-secure version of the SABER.Itby inserting a small screwdriver at either side andcarefully wiggeling it until it comes out.The can be pushedput of its socket by inserting a push tool or a screwdriver into twoholes in the main PCB (bottom). Theis bolted to the (2 bolts)and (1 bolt).
It needs theframe of the radio for sufficient cooling when transmitting.The (short for Filter, Detector and Switch)is the antenna relay. It iswith a single bolt. The isconnected to the main PCB by means of just 3 contact pins at the bottom,and can be removed easily, by removing two bolts (bottom).The receiver consists of two parts that are mounted together:the actual receiver and a 5-pole filter.Finally, the reference oscillator can be pulled from its socket.All modules are listed below. Secure operationThe radio is extremely well built with only first classcomponents.
At the front is the(if present).At the bottom is the mainclearly visible.The PCB is also the carrier for a number of modules on the inside of the radio.The keyboard at the front can be lifted and folded away,so that the.At the bottom of the unit, theis clearly visible. A variety of differentwas available from Motorola,including DES, DVP, DES-XL, DVP-XL and DVI-XL.All crypto modules had the same physical size.Depending on the customer's needs, export restrictions, etc.,a different module would be supplied.The module shown here is the NTN5836A, which is probably aSmartnet DVI-XL variant (Digital Voice International).Motorola had a wide range of cryptographic modules available, for a varietyof secure networks, including Smartnet, Multikey and OTAR (Over The AirRekeying).
For each network type, different cryptographic algorithms wereavailable, including DES (Digital Encryption Standard), DVP(Digital Voice Protection) and DVI (Digital Voice International).There even was a CCI-version (Controlled Cryptographic Item)that supported the -developedFASCINATOR encryption module.The latter was based on 12 kbit/s CVSD modulation which was encryptedwith,an NSAencryption algorithm based on the. Crypto modulesSecure capable versions of the Saber (Securenet) are slightly longerthan non-secure variants. The extra space is used to accomodate a cryptoplug-in module.A variety of modules was available, for different networks and for differentcrypto algorithms, such as DES, DES-XL, DVP and DVP-XL.Although all modules arepin compatible, certain modules (such as FASCINATOR) can only be used inauthorised radios (US non-export versions). Crypto-capable radioswithout a crypto module, must have an NTN4720 dummy installed.All crypto modules have the same form factor and are encapsulated in ametal can (or in a plastic can with metal paint). The image on the rightshows the that camewith our SABER II. Don't let the (small) size fool you; encryptionmodules like this are really complicated electronic circuits.At the bottom of the module are two rows of pins that are lined up withtwo rows of holes (sockets) on the main PCB. They carry the necessaryvoltages, audio signals and (digital) control signals for secure operation.Theoretically, the socket for the crypto module can also be used for otherextensions to the radio, such as a customized selective tone call system,or the shown in the next section below.Note that such a module may not need all contact pins.The metal can of the module (shield) is soldered to pin 12 and 19 ofthe socket.
After unsoldering these two contact lips, the interiorof the module can be removed from the can.The image on the right shows theof the DVI-XL module.The crypto module consists of a square flex PCB with all componentson one side. The flex is then,so that we effectively get 4 sides that carry components.
Both ends of theflex are integrated with the plastic connector at the bottom, that consistsof two halves. It in order to.The crypto module was designed with convenience in mind.Although it would technically be possible to repair a faultlymodule, it seems unlikely that this was ever done. Unfolding the flexPCB can easily lead to broken tracks. In practice, a broken module wouldsimply be replaced by a new one.The image above shows the flex PCB partly unfolded.On the flex PCB are 6 custom chips, two crystals and several other components.The drawing below shows howthe contact pins are ordered, looking into the sockets of the radio.
Two largeholes (A and B) are used as guides. Pins 12 and 19are connected to the shield of the module (i.e. Tow lips of the metal can). The image above shows the footprint of the man-down module, whenlooking into the sockets of the radio's main PCB. Note that notall pins are used on this module.
The ones that are used, aremarked as black dots in the drawing above. Pins 1 and 17 are connectedinside the module, to ensure that the transmitter produces audio.This confirms that this is not en encryption module.The man-down module was found inside an in The Netherlands,with no FACTORY ID at back. When the module is installedand the SECURE switch in on (i.e.
Set to I), it start transmitting autonomouslyat regular intervals. Every transmission starts with a 5-tonesequency, followed by a series of short beeps. After a few secondsof silence, the unit returns to receive mode again.Update 19 May 2015The man-down module was developed in the mid-1990s as a special projectat Motorola by Michael Wilkinson. It has two separate mercury switches:one for tilt and one for movement, and its timing couldbe programmed with a special version of the Radio Service Software (RSS),in which 4-bytes of the radio's internal EEPROM were reallocated to theman-down module.As Motorola initially expected to sell only 100 units,it was not possible to develop a dedicated molding, hense the somewhatimprovised enclosure and PCB. The locating pins (to guide the unit intothe Saber's motherboard) were simply cut-off pieces of welding rod.The custom 35U05 chip is in fact a Motorola 68HC08 processor that wasrepackaged in order to fit the available space.
Receiver moduleReceiverModuleSectionRemarkNLC623066-84 MHz-NLC623174-88 MHzNLD8180136-174 MHzUsed for the entire VHF band (i.e. All sections) 1NLE9431403-433 MHzGovernment splitNLE9432440-470 MHzNLE9433460-490 MHzNLE9434482-512 MHzNLE9501403-433 MHz12.5 kHz channel spacingNLE9502440-470 MHz12.5 MHz channel spacing5-Pole Filter 2ModuleSectionRemarkNFD6091136-150.8 MHz-NFD6092146-162 MHz?403-433 MHz?440-470 MHz?460-490 MHz?482-512 MHz2-Pole Filter 3ModuleSectionRemark?66-84 MHz-NLC638274-88 MHzNLD6111136-150.8 MHzNLD6112146-162 MHz?146-174 MHz.Only one receiver module is used for the entire VHF band. The 5-Pole Filterdetermines the actual frequency section (split).The 5-Pole Filter is the bottom half of the receiver module.The 2-Pole Filters are only present MIDBAND and VHF receivers. They are locatedbetween the actual receiver and the FDS (see below). It is not present in UHF radios.Filter Detector Switch (FDS)ModuleSectionRemarkNLC625066-84 MHz-NLC625174-88 MHzNFD6131136-150.8 MHzNFD6132146-178 MHzUsed for 146-162, 148-174 and 157-174 sectionsNFE6061403-470 MHzNFE6062470-512 MHz.
Power AmplifiersModuleSectionPowerRemarkNLC626066-84 MHz-NLC626174-48 MHz-NLD8121136-150.8 MHz6WIdeal for HAM radio useNLD8773146-174 MHz6WSuitable for HAM radio useNLD8122146-162 MHz6WSuitable for HAM radio useNLD8133146-178 MHz2.5WSuitable for HAM radio useNLD8123157-174 MHz6WNLE4082440-470 MHz5WOften hand-written on the case of an NLE9852 1NLE9471403-433 MHz5WNLE9472440-470 MHz5WNLE9473460-490 MHz5WNLE9474482-512 MHz5WNLE9483440-470 MHz2WNLE9852440-470 MHz2WAlso see NLE4082 1.Note that some NLE4082 modules were delivered in the packagingof an NLE9852 (or indeed any other PA module). In such cases, theoriginal number of the module is printed on the case, whilst thenew number (NLE4082) is hand-written on it. In such cases, thehand-written number NLE4082 is the actual one.Universal connectorEach SABER radio has an accessory socket at the back, just belowthe antenna base. It consists of 12 flat-faced circular contact pads,arranged in a 3 x 4 matrix, plus two concentric contacts for an externalantenna.
The socket can be used for example for an external speaker/microphone. The table below shows the pinout of the accessory socket. Please notethat the ground pin (GND) is taken from the outer ring of theexternal antenna connection at the top. A typical accessory plug is hookedinto the rectangular gap at the bottom of the socket and covers all contactpads. As an alternative to the above, it is also possible to use a simple6K8 resistor instead of the diodes above. In fact, this is the way itis done in most Motorola accessories. As pin 7 of the accessory socketis internally tied to the 5V rail via a 20K resistor (R i),we can calculate the value of the external resistor (R e)as follows:R e = (20U 7) / (5-U 7) K.U 7 is the voltage at pin 7.Ideally, the value for the external resistor would be 6.666K, but asthis is not available, we can safely round it off to the nearest one inthe E12-range: 6K8.
This calculation can also be used for theother voltages: 62K for 3.75V (external antenna) and 20K for 2.5V(all external).External AntennaIt is also possible to use the internal microphone and speaker, but anexternal antenna. This can be useful, for example, when using the radiofrom within a car or when measuring the RF output when adjusting the radio.By applying a voltage of 3.74V to pin 7 of the universal connector, theradio switches to the external antenna. The external antenna adapteris wired as follows. As pin 7 of the universal connector is internally pulled up to +5Vwith a 20K resistor, the 59K resistor in the adapter effectively formsa voltage divider, resulting in a voltage of approx. Mostexternal antenna adapter only have a few pins present in the universalconnector, but there are some that are fully populated with pins.The latter can be converted to a full test cable.Hirose socketWhen using a, e.g. For connecting aor a with a Hirose plug,the accessory needs to be wired accordingto the connection diagram below. Please note that the accessory sensingpin 6 (EXT) needs to be tied to ground (pin 4) to select the externalmicrophone and speaker.
A special voltage (as described above) is notnecessary; this is provided by a special chip inside the Hirose adapter.The pin-out of the socket is as follows. 6-pin Hirose socket when looking into the socketWhen rewiring an existing microphone, headset or surveillance kit,or when creating your own external audio set for the SABER, you mayfollow the wiring diagram below. If an electret microphone is used,you may need to connect the +5V (B+) to it.
This is either done viaa separate pin, if it is a 3-pin microhone, or via a 4K7 resistorif it is a 2-pin electret microphone. In the latter case a capacitorshould be inserted in the MIC line to block the DC voltage. Connecting an external microphone, speaker and PTT-switchThe plug (i.e.
The cable end) has Hirose part number HR10A-7P-6P(73).The receptacle (i.e. The socket) has part number HR10A-7R-6S(73).If you want to make an extension cable, you might need a jack (femalecable part) with part number HR10A-7J-6S(73). These parts arereadily available from companies such as Farnell and Digi-Key.GlossaryThe following expressions and abbreviations are used on this page.For additional keywords, please check the.
AcknowledgementSABER, Systems SABER, Astro SABER, Motorola, the 'bat' logo, DVP, DVP-XLand RSS are registered trademarks of Motorola Inc., USA.Related patents.Method for loading encryption keys into secure transmission devices.This patent describes how encryption keys (typically DES, DVP, DES-XL,DVP-XL or DVI-XL) are loaded into a device (radio) and how they areprotected against evesdropping. The latter is done by using a KeyEncryption Key (KEK) generated by an internal free-running counter.Digital Voice Protection System and Method. A description of Motorola'sown proprietary encryption algorithm, known as DVP.Method and Apparatus for over-the-air programming of communicationdevices. This document describes Motorola's implementation of OTAR,a method for distributing the cryptographic keys via a radio channel,typically using a control device, such as a Key Management Controller (KMC).The patent refers to earlier Motorola publications regarding AdvancesSecurenet, Multikey, OTAR and KMC.Method for Automatically Assigning Encryption Information to a Groupof Radios. This patent is an addition to US5301232 and descibes how(group) keys can be sent to a group of radios rather than to eachradio individually.This patent protects the (case) design of the laterKey Variable Loader (key filler).It was a universal device that could be used to load virtually anytype of key into any type of (crypto-capable) Motorola radio.